Electric spinning top



Oct. 15, 1929.

M. o. FIXEN 1,732,085

ELECTRIC SPINNING TOP Filed May 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fiZZZf/z Z07" Oct. 15, 1929. M. o. FIXEN I ELECTRIC SPINNING TOP Filed May 5, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 15, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,v

ELECTRIC SPINNING T01 Application filed May 5,

This invention relates to a spinning top and particularly to such a top which is automatically spun. WVhile various kinds of power may be used for driving or spinning the top, the invention is illustrated as in the form of an electrically operated top. It is desirable in such a device to have a simple comparatively inexpensive, small and compact structure and one which can be operated with a small amount of power. t is also quite desirable to have such a device arranged so that it will carry lamps or be otherwise illuminated.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a spinning top which is automatically or electrically operated.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a spinning top which is electrically operated and which carries thereon one or more lamps.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a spinning top comprising a field member and an armature member which are relatively movable, together with means for conducting electric current to the same.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an electrically operated spinning top comprising upper and lower casings which are electrically insulated and which are disposed on either side of the line.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which Fig. 1 is a vertical central section through the top, certain parts being shown in side elevation;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the top Fig. 4 is a partial vertical section of the lower portion of the top and base shown on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section on line 6-6 of Fig. 2, as indicated by the arrows;

1927. Serial No. 188,939.

Fig. 7 is a vertical section on line 77 of Fig. 2, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a view in side elevation of the part shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a detailed view of the lower portion of the armature shaft and supporting member; and b Fig. 10 is a view of a modified form of the ase.

Referring to the drawings, the device comprises a base member or stand 15 which is of general frusto-conical shape and has an apertured boss at one side through which passes the downwardly extending rod 16 having an upturned vertically disposed terminal portion 16. The rod 16 is held in the base mem ber 15 by the clamping nuts 17, insulating washers 15 being disposed at each side of the member 15 and a binding post nut 19 being disposed on the outer end of rod 16. A coiled spring 20 has its lower end surrounding and supported on the rod 16 and portion 16 thereof. A pin or rod 21 is provided having an enlarged portion 21 adjacent its end. The portion or red 21 below port-ion 21 is disposed in the spring 20 and this spring may be connected to said portion 21. The portion 21 engages at its upper side with the lower side of the bushing or sleeve member 23 of insulating material disposed centrally in and slidable in ahub in the base 15, said sleeve 23 having a flange 23 at its lower end preventing excessive upward movement thereof. The upper portion of rod 21 passes through and is secured to bushing 23 and has its upper end wedge shaped. The sleeve 23 has an opening therethrough in which the rod 21 is held tightly. An annular washer 25 of semicylindrical shape in radial cross section is adapted to be disposed over the top of base 15. A sleeve 24. is provided having a diameter at its lower end slidable into a bore of the hub in base 15 but of greater diameter than the bore of the washer 25. The lower end of sleeve 24 is adapted to engage the top of washer 25 when the latter is in place and said sleeve has a flange 24 a short distance above its lower end having a concave lower side and a flat upper side disposed in a plane at right angles to the axis of said sleeve. The sleeve 24 has secured therein an inner sleeve or bushing 26 of insulating material, which extends throughout the length of sleeve 24 and has a washer 26 resting on top of the flange 24 at the top of sleeve 24. A shaft 27 extends through sleeve 26 and has a slot 27* in its lower end adapted to rest on top of the member 21, said lower end normally being disposed a slight distance above bushing 23. The shaft 27 constitutes an armature shaft and the same has secured thereto a plurality of spaced laminated pole pieces 28 which extend radially therefrom having their outer surfaces in the surface of the cylinder and Said shaft 27 has a commutator 29 secured thereto at one side of the pole pieces 28 and has a perspring 32 surrounding the stem or sleeve 24,

the flange 24 resting on top of said spring 32. The casing 30 has an annular flat flange 3O at its upper and outer side above which is disposed an annular insulating member or washer 33.

A field member 34 is provided, formed of laminated plates, said plates being of the form shown in Fig. 2. An upper casing 35 is provided, quite similar in shape to the casing 30 which also has a flat annular flange 35 at its outer portion. The flange 30 member 33,

field frame 34 and flan e 35 are connected by i I e D e I a plurality of circumferentially spaced headed and. nutted bolts 36 which pass through said parts and through flanged insulating bushings 37 extending through flange 30 and member 33 as shown in Fig. 7 The field frame 34has a central opening 34 of substantially cylindrical form and a brush member 38 is secured at one side of this openlng by the headed and nutted screw 39. one of the plates or corrugations 34 of the field frame being bent outward at a right angle for receiving the screw 39. Another brush 40 which, like the brush 38, is in the form of a flat resilient plate, is secured at the opposite side of the opening 34 and is likewise secured to an upstanding portlon 34 of one of the plates of the frame 34, said brush 40 being separated from the plate 34 by insulating washers 41.

. The frame 34 has radially extending portions 34? of reduced dimension on which are wound the field coils 42 and 43. It will be noted that the coil 42 is connected at one end to the brush 40 and has its other end extending to and connected with the coil 43 so that said coils 42 and i 43 are in series. 7 The other end of coil 43- is .connected in any sultable manner as by soldering to the casing 30. The frame 34; and

flange 35 are provided with 'one or more holes 34 alining with somewhat smaller holes in the member 33. The sleeve portion of a lamp bulb 49 can be threaded through the hole in the flange 35 so that gage flange 30 A spring 44 surrounds the upper portion of shaft 27 being disposed between the end of commutator 29, and a washer 45 preferably of non-insulating material is disposed in the upper end of casing 35. As shown in Fig. 1, the casing 35 has a reduced upper end fitting about the upper end of shaft 27, and said shaft outside of said casing preferably carries a small pulley 46 secured thereto in any suitable manner as by the set screw 47, said pulley being shown as of the grooved type. The casing 30 preferablyis provided Wlbh. a number of holes 30" preferably arranged in groups. The casing 15 is provided at one side with a binding post screw 50 adapted to receive a binding post nut 51.

A stand 52 is also provided, )referably made from sheet metal. This stand has end portions 52 each adapted to have secured thereto a binding post 52 and each having a semi-circular recess 52 at its upper portion and lugs 52 disposed at one side of the recess 52. One of the lugs 52 has an aperture 52? therein and the other has a substantially semicircular recess 52 The end pieces 52F preferably are connected by a plurality of connecting and bracing strips 52 In operation the top will be disposed as shown in Fig. 1, theend of shaft 27 resting upon the upper end of the pin or rod 21 and the end of sleeve 24 resting lightly on the member 25. The shaft 27 is thus resiliently supported on the spring 20 and the same is kept from rotating by the slot 27 engaging the top of rod 21 and the latter being held from rotation. Conductors extending to a small battery or other source of power are respectively connected to the binding posts formed by members 16 and 50. Current then flows from one side of the battery through the members 16, spring 20, and member-'21 to the shaft 27, through this shaft to the upper casing 35 and thence to the fleld'frame 34 to which this casing is bolted. The current passes from the field frame 34 to the brush 38 which is in contact therewith and bolted thereto. Current then flows through the commutator 29 to the armature coil and thence to the other brush 40. The brush 40 as above stated, is in series with the field coils 42 and 43 and the current passes through these coils and to the lower casing 30. Fromthe lower casing the current passes into member 24 and thence to the member 15 and to the other side of tie battery through the binding post 50. The field frame 34 with its coils forms the field of a motor and theshaft 27 forms the armature shaft of the motor carrying the armature coils 28 the tip portion will en- The shaft 27, as stated, also member 24 and member 26 are held from rotation, so that when current is supplied the field frame 31- rotates, carrying with it casings 30 and 35 which, it will be noted, are insulated from each other. The casings 30 and 35 and field 34 thus rotate on top of flange member 24: and the rotation is at such high s eed that equilibrium of the top is produced. It will be seen that the top has considerable weight above the member 25 and will not stand up until it is rotated at sufficient speed. The field member 34, also casing members 30 and 35 thus spin on top of flange member 24 and will continue to spin as long as current is supplied. Insulating member 26 is tightly fitted around member 27, and sleeve 24; is fitted tightly around member 26.

It will be seen that the lamp bulbs 49 have their shell portions in contact with the casing 35 and the tip portions in contact with the casing 30. Current is thus supplied to these lamp bulbs which are illuminated and the top revolving at high speed, a circle of light is produced, giving a very pleasing effect. The lamps 49 can, of course, be disposed in different places and at different heights in respect to the top and bottom of the top. The holes 30 in the casing may be arranged so that the top will produce a humming or singing sound when operated. If the washer 25 is removed from base 15, the end of sleeve 24 may extend down into the hub of the base 15 and the top will then be supported in vertical position by said base when in operative or inoperative position. The shaft 27 will force the bushing 23 further down in the base and compress spring 20. The top may also be disposed in the stand 52, the end 24 of sleeve 24 being disposed in the opening 52 and the pulley being disposed in the recess 52. The friction of the grooved pulley 46 and the edge of recess 52 will prevent rotation of the shaft but the casings 30 and 35 and frame 34 will thus revolve when current is supplied to the binding posts on the frame 52. It will be noted that the end port-ions of frame 52 are insulated from each other by insulation 53 between the connecting strips 52 and said ends. The direction of rotation of the top may be reversed by reversing the location of brushes 38 and 40.

The top can also be disposed in the recesses 52. The cylindrical end portions of the casings 30 and will rest in the recesses 32. When so disposed, the casings 30 and 35 are held from rotation by friction with the edges of recesses 52, the field frame thus also being held from rotation. The armature shaft 27 thus revolves and with the top in this position, the same can be used as a motor and a small belt run from pulley 46 for operating some toy if desired.

From the above description it is seen that applicant has provided a very simple, efiicient and highly entertaining automatic or electrical top. The device is very entertaining and the same is simple and durable in construction. The same can be made at comof applicants invention, which, generallystated, consists in a device capable of carryinp out the objects above set forth, in the novel parts and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is 1. An electric spinning top having in combination, a spindle, means for conducting current to said spindle including means engaging the end of said spindle for holding the same against rotation, an armature carried by said spindle, a casing having a portion surrounding said spindle and armature and insulated from said spindle, means for supporting said casing for rotation, a field frame having a field winding thereon secured to said casing and insulated from said portion thereof, said casing having a portion engaging said shaft and engaging and connected to said field frame, a commutator carried by said armature and brushes car ried by said field frame engaging said commutator.

2. A spinning top having in combination, a spindle, a casing mounted for rotation relative to said spindle, said casing having two parts, means for electrically separating said parts, means for conducting electric current to said spindle and casing whereby the portions of said casing are connected to the two sides of the electric circuit, and means for holding a lamp bulb in position with the shell engaging one portion of said casing and the tip engaging the other portion so that said bulb will be illuminated.

3. An electric spinning top having in combination, a spindle, a casing surrounding said spindle and mounted for rotation relative thereto, said casing having portions electrically insulated from each other, a lamp support extending between said portions and means for conducting electric current from one of said portions to another and through a lamp socket held in said support.

4. A spinning top having in combination, a spindle, a sleeve surrounding one end of said spindle and insulated therefrom, a base memher for supporting said sleeve about a vertical axis, means in said base member yieldingly engaging the end of said spindle for holding the same against rotation and conducting cura field frame secured to and insula ed fr m i mentioned casing but oppositely disposed and I said casin a second casing secured to said field frame in electrical contact therewith and engaging the other end of said spindle, an armature winding carried by said spindle, a commutator carried by said spindle co-operating with said winding, brushes carried by said field frame engaging said commutator, one of said brushes being connectedto said frame and one of said brushes being insulated from said'frame, a field winding connected to said latter brush and to said first mentioned casing.

5. A spinning top having in combination, a spindle, means for yieldingly engaging said spindle for conducting current thereto, a casing mounted for movement relatively to said spindle and havin a portion insulated from said spindle, a support in electrical contact wvith said portion, a member for supporting said support for rotation about a vertical axis and electrical means for causing relative rotation between said spindle and casing.

6. A spinning top having in combination, a base member, a member extending into said base and insulated therefrom, yielding means en aging said last mentioned member, a rod supported on said yielding means, a spindle non-rotatively engaging said rod, an armature carried by said spindle, a field carrying member surrounding said armature, a casing carried by said field member and surrounding said spindle, and means electrically connected with a portion of said casing adapted to be supported on said base and in electrical contact therewith, and means for supplying electric current to said first mentioned member and said base whereby said casing and spindle are relatively rotated.

7. An electric spinning top having in combination, a spindle, an armature carried by said spindle, a commutator on said spindle in connection with said armature, means for engaging one end of said spindle for holding the same against rotation and supplyingelectric current thereto, a casing surrounding said spindle and insulated therefrom, means for supporting said casing for rotation about a vertical axis, a field frame secured to and insulated from said casing, a second casing secured to said field frame similar to said first in electricalcontact with said field frame and field frame, saidlatter brush being insulated from said frame and the other brush being electrically connected thereto.

9. A spinning top having incombination, a spindle, a casing surrounding said spindle, having upper and lower portions, a field frame to which said casings are secured, an armature carried by said spindle, a commutator connected to said armature, brushes en gaging said armature carried by said field frame, a winding for said field frame, a base" member, means engaging the end of said spindle, means supporting said casing on said base, and insulating means so disposed that an electric current is conducted through.v said last mentioned means but one, to said spindle, the upper portion of said casing, said field frame, one of said brushes, said commutater and armature, the other of said brushes, said field winding, the lower part of said casing, and to said last mentioned means and base.

10. An electric spinning top having in combination, a spindle member, a frame member, an armature secured to one of said members and a field coil secured to the other of said members, means engaging one of said members and holding the same against rotation, means for supporting the other member for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, a conductor connected to one of said means for supplying current to said armature, and a conductor connected to the other of said means for supplying current to said field coil. V

11. A spinning top having in combination, a spindle, a casing mounted for movement relatively to said spindle, means for supporting said casing for rotation about a vertical axis, means carried by said support.,., on which one end of said spindle rests, the same holding said spindle against rotation in a vertical position with its other end unsupported, and means for causing relative rotation between said spindle and casing formaintaining said top in equilibrium about a vertical axis.

12. A spinning top having in combination,

a spindle, a casing mounted for movement relatively to said spindle and having a p0r-. tion insulated'from said spindle, means for supporting said casing about a vertical axis adapted to make electrical contact therewith, means engaging one end of said spindle while in vertical position for preventing r0-; 12o tation thereof, making electrical contact therewith the other end of said spindle being unsupported electrical devices for causing relative rotation between said spindle and casing to hold the same in equilibrium about a vertical axis, and conductors connected respectively to said last two mentioned means for supplying current to said devices through said spindle and casing respective- 1y. so

13, A spinning top having in combination, a spindle member, a frame member, electrical means for causing relative rotation between said members, a base including supporting means for supporting one of said members about a substantially vertical axis, and ineluding means yieldingly engaging the end of the other member and holding the same against rotation, a contact member carried by said base and electrically connected with said yielding means, and another contact member carried by said base and connected to said supporting means whereby current can be supplied to said electrical devices and said spindle and member supported for relative rotation.

14. A spinning top having in combination, a spindle member, a casing surrounding said spindle member, electrical means for causg9 ing relative rotation between said members, means for supporting said casing for rotation about a vertical axis, means engaging and supporting one end of said spindle in a vertical position and preventing rotation thereof, and conductors connected respectively to said spindle and casing for actuating said first mentioned means.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

MARTIN O. FIXEN. 

